Delay apparatus for linecasting and composing machines



M. T. GoETz 2,062,306 DELAY APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING AND COMFOSING'v MACHINES Dec. 1, 1'936.

Filed Deo. 29, 1933 INVENTOR MA1/@a5 z 60572 BY f 'TM Patented Dec, l, 1936 PATENT OFFICE DELAY APPARATUS FOR LINECASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Maurus T. Goetz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application December 29, 1933, Serial No. 704,378

30 Claims.

The present invention relates to linecasting and composing machines and particularly to improvements in assembling block rail shift mechanisms and automatic control means for the operation thereof.

The present invention has for its object the provision of mechanism associated with an automatic control unit for the operation of linecasting machines and adapted during the performance of certain functions which may be initiated either manually or automatically to introduce a time delay interval, in order to permit the consummation of other and preceding functions of said linecasting machine.

In the operation of linecasting and composing machines under the control of stored signals it has been the practice to perforate a tape with various transverse rows of perforations corresponding to individual code signals. In accordance with the character of each transverse row of perforations a set of sensing elements are conditioned to perform a selection or to condition a corresponding selectable element so that it may thereafter inaugurate a certain function. Of the several functions of an automatic control unit for linecasting machines, the major portion is concerned with the selective release of matrices which are normally supported in a storage magazine above the assembling mechanism. As the matrices are selectively and successively released, they are permitted to gravitate through chutes and be collected in a carriage to be hereinafter referred to as the assembling block.

In accordance with the well-known practice, each matrix carries two related character impressions or intaglios located one above the other in a standard relationship while the assembling block is provided with a shiftable supporting rail which may, by being presented or withdrawn from the ingress portion of the block, determine the level at which subsequently received matrices may be supported within the block. When a matrix is received upon one or the other of the two levels, it is thereafter thrust leftwardly by the impingement of subsequently received matrices and is maintained upon the selected level throughout its travel and until it is returned to the magazine.

Since the gravitation of the matrices from their storage magazine to the assembling block necessarily requires a certain time interval, it will be understood that where any modifying functions arelto be performed upon the assembled matrices it will be necessary to delay the performance of such functions for an interval of time equivalent. to or exceeding the time necessary to permit the last matrix preceding such functions to gravi'- tate from its point of release in the storage magazine to the assembling block. Otherwise, if the performance of such modifying functions were consummated promptly with the reception of their signals, the performance thereof might precede the reception of foregoing matrices, failing thereby to include such matrices within their proper class where they may be modified by the special function. It is accordingly a feature of the present invention to provide means for introducing a time delay interval in the performance of certain functions, approximating the time occupied during the travel of each matrix from its storage magazine to the point of assembly.

'I'he introduction of a time delay element is vital tothe proper performance of each of several special functions, such as the elevator operation, the shifting of control mechanism from one to another of several matrix storage magazines, and theshifting of a displaceable or shiftable assembler rail as mentioned above. For the purpose of explaining the present invention but one of these, special functions will be illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in the following specification. This function will concern the shifting of theassembling block shiftable rail from its so-called bold position to its roman position and vice Versa in accordance with each of a pair of received code signals which are especially delegated for the performance of such functions..

The introduction of a time delay element, between the instant at which certain signals are sensed in the storage tape and the instant at which their performance is consummated, has been recognized as essential to the performance of automatic control mechanismv and numerous ways have been devised for accomplishing this purpose. Among these may be mentioned the practice of installing blank signals upon the tape to intervene preceding character signals and succeeding special function signals. The effect of blank signals is the mere idle operation of the tape sensing mechanism, no functional response resulting therefrom, so that the reception of successive blank signals effects a time delay corresponding to the number of such signals. While this method of operation may be said to accomplish the same purpose as that of the present invention, it has been found nevertheless that perforating machine operators who prepare the control tape inadvertently omit the blank signals or fail to install a suflicient number of them be-` fore ,eachk rail shift operation to assure the proper performance of the shiftable rail. It has also been found that where in certain cases rail shift signals occur frequently, this method of procedure unduly lengthens the tape as compared with the normal length required for carrying the essential character selecting signals.

The structure illustrated in the accompanying drawing is particularly adapted to a system such as that disclosed in Patent No. 1,970,567, issued August 21, 1934. The following description will embrace so much of the disclosure of the aforementioned patent as is deemed essential to a comprehensive disclosure of the present invention only, reference being had thereto for a complete understanding of the mechanism and operation thereof.

Briefly, the present invention contemplates the provision of a slow-operating -relayand circuit connections located between the function selecting mechanism and other relays which actually perform the ultimate operations. 'I'he shiftable rail chosen to exemplify the present disclosure is spring-actuated or normally maintained in one position and is moved into its other position by a magnet counteracting the influence of. the spring and energized by control circuit that is initiated by the closing of a contact in a selector unit and is completed after the intervention of a time delay interval which :Is determined by said slow-acting relay and is maintained thereafter by means of a locking circuit.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters designate similar parts throughout. The reference character 6 indicates a dotted line enclosure 'within which are contained certain symbolic elements which pertain to the transmitter mechanism. Into the transmitter record reader is fed a perforated tape 1 upon which are impressed various transverse rows of perforations corresponding to telegraph codes. The record reader is provided with a conventional type of tape control switch 8 which remains closed during the normal condition of operation when there is a proper slack in the tape 1 but which is broken when the control tape 1 becomes taut and isthereby made to arrest the further operation of the transmitter. 'I'he tape sensing elements of the transmitter B are made to eff-ect a corresponding closure of a set of contacts 9 which in turn cause to be energized a corresponding set of. selector magnets I I, contained in a selector unit I2 which is described in detail in the patent referred to.

In accordance with the variable energization of the several magnets II, the selector unit I2 effects a selective performance by the closure of one of a plurality of sets of contacts of which there are illustrated in the instant case three, indicated I3, I4, and I5. Upon the closure of. any of these contacts, there is consummated a corresponding function which, in accordance with the order named, completes the bold shift operation, the roman shift operation, or the elevator performance.

Upon the closure of the set of contacts I3, positive potential is introduced over line I0 from a common Source I 6, causing thereby to be energized a relay I1, to be referred to hereinafter as the bold face relay. A circuit for energizing this relaymay be traced from either the positive potential I6 originating in the selector unit and coming over line I0 or positive potential I8 origibank of manually controllable keylevers I9, 2 I, or 22. When the energization of relay I1` is initiated by manual control through the depression of keylever I9, positive potential I8 is introduced over line 23 which joins with line I0 at the junction 24 after which the common circuit continues over a line wire 25 through the winding of relay I1, thence over lines 26, I24, and 21 to the negative current potential 28.

The energization of the bold face relay I1 accomplishes four distinct results upon attracting its contact block 29. In the first place, the record reader of the transmitter 6 is arrested by the opening of the contact 3l, breaking the record reader control circuit which originates with positive current potential 32, and passes 4over a line 33 through contacts 34, line 35, contacts 3|, line 36, contacts 31, line 38, contacts 39, line 4I, contacts 42, line 43, contacts 44, line 45, tape switch 8, through the windings of stop coils 46, thence over line 41, vto the source of negative current potential 48. Thus it will be observed that the circuit just traced contains several control switches and comprises a chain and that it is controlled by several elements in series.

As a secondary result of the energization of bold face relay I1, there is elected the closure of contacts 49, causing the introduction of positive current potential from the source 5I over line 52, thence over line 53 to the winding of a slow-acting or dash pot relay 54 to a source of negative potential 55. The energization of the relay 54 does not result in the prompt response of its plunger 56, but depends upon the lapsing of a predetermined time interval which may be controlled by a suitable adjustment as is well known in this type of relay structures.

Meanwhile, the closure of another contact 51 by the energization of bold face relay I1 prepares a path for the energization of a. bold face locking relay 58, which path may be traced from negative source of current potential 28 over line 21, thence over line 59, through the winding of relay 58, over line 80, thence over line 6I through the contacts 51 (now closed), over line 62, thence over line 63 to the contact switch member 64 of dash pot relay 54.

The closure of the remaining contact 65 of contact block 29 causes the lookup of the bold face relay I1 by the completion of a circuit originating from negative source 28 over line 21, thence over lines |24 and 26, through the winding of relay I1, line 66, through the contact 65, line 61, through the contacts 68, line 69 to the positive source of current potential 1I.

As a result of the energization of dash pot relay'54 after the intervention of a predetermined time interval, the plunger 56 is permitted to complete its travel downwardly, rocking bell crank lever 12 in a counterclockwise direction and permittting contactor 64 to engage make contact point 13. 'This introduces positive current from source 14 over the line 63 and completes the circuit which had been prepared by the closure of the contacts 51 of block 29, causing the energization of locking relay 58. The further movement of contact 64 after encountering the contact point 13 results in the breaking of another circuit to be described hereinafter by the opening of contact 15.

With the energization of the bold face locking relay 58, four results are attained. Upon the opening of the contacts 68, the locking vcircuit is broken which had been holding bold face relay nating from Va keylever. 'I3 which is one of a I1 and which was described above. As a result 75 against the tendencies of its spring |05.

of the release of relay I'I, contact 3| is again closed, completing the aforedescribed chain circuit Which controls the record reader mechanism of the transmitter 6 by energizing the stop coils 46. As a further result of the deenergization of relay I1, contact 49 is broken and dash pot relay 54 deenergized; restoring the latter member to its normal condition, as indicated in the illustration. The opening of contact 51 opens the operating circuit for energizing the locking relay 58. The relay B, however, remains energized through its own locking circuit established by the closure of the contacts 8| as described hereinafter. In addition, the closure of contacts 16 of block 90 energizes the bold face operating coil 11 by completing the following circuit from positive current potential 1| over line 69, through the contacts 16, thence over line 18, through the Winding of magnet 11 to negative current source 19. The closure of another pair of contacts 8| of the bank 90 completes the self-locking circuit for relay 58 which is traceable as follows: from positive current potential 82, through the contacts 83 of block 84, over line 85 to the junction point 86. Attention is now called to the fact that at this point is connected another line 81 over which positive current supply mayalso be obtained from the source 14. The principal circuit continues over line 88 through the contacts 8| (now closed), over line 80, through the winding of relay 58, and thence over line 59 and line 21 to the negative current source 28. So long as the dash pot relay 54 is energized and the contacts 15 remain open, positive .current potential may not be obtained from the source 14 for supplying the last described circuit, but must be obtained from source 82.

As a nal result of the energization of relay 58 there is closed a pair of contacts 89 which prepares a locking circuit for energizing a roman shift relay 9|. 'I'his circuit may be traced from positive potential 1|, over line 92, through contacts 89 (now closed), over line 93, through contact point 94 (now open), thence over lines 95 and 96, through the winding of relay 9|, thence over lines 91 and 21 to the negative source of current potential 28. This circuit may not be completed until the closure of the contacts I4, which momentarily supplies positive current for energizing the relay 9| for closing the contacts 94, and after which the positive current supply may be obtained from source 1|.

Thus it will be seen that the energization of relay 58 was delayed until the plunger 56 of dash 'pot relay 54 had completed its travel. The energization of magnet 11 as one of the incidents of the energization of relay 58 consummated the ultimate object of the particular selection which was manifest as a result of the closure of the contacts I3. The consummation of this performance was thereby delayed by the intervention of the dash pot relay 54.

So long as relay 58 remains energized, magnet 11 will remain energized, and in so doing, will attract its armature 98, rotating it clockwise against the tendency of its return spring 99, and shifting bar I|l| rightwardly. The latter member through its roller |02 engages a depending portion |03 of rail |04, and shifts the latter member This presents the foremost portion |06 of rail |04 in its right-hand extremity where it may support rather than reject subsequently received matrices. In this position the rail |04 is understood as being in the bold face condition, a term which indicates that subsequently received matrices will be supported in an kelevated. position with their bold face intaglio in alignment for casting operation.

`The depending portion |03 of rail |04 is provided with a beveled edge |01 so that if the elevator |08 is thereafter operated moving upwardly, then upon its descent, the beveled edge 01 encounters the roller |02 when the magnet 11 is energized. Thus upon its upward travel the rail |04 is shifted leftwardly by spring |05 as the depending portion |03 clears roller |02; This causes the assembled matrices to be braced between the projection |06 and an upstanding member of the assembler slide which serves as a jogger. Upon the descent o-f the elevator |08, rail |04 is restored to its original position and line composition may continue under the influence of the established condition of the rail |04.

Thus are found the several elementsduring the condition in which the rail 04 is in its bold position and when ylocking relay 58 remains energized, the circuit for'energizing roman relay 9| being prepared for the reception of a subsequent roman shift signal.

When a roman shift signal is received by the transmitter 6 and communicated to the selector unit I2, it causes the closure of the contacts I4. This sends positive potential over line |09 from source I6, as in the case of the bold shift signal. Positive potential may also be obtained from source |8 by depressing a manually operable keylever, in this case number 2|. The two sources of positivepotential join at ||I and thence continue over linek |I2, vover'line 96, through the winding of relay 9|, over line 91, and line 21, to the source of negative potential 28. This causes the energization of relay 9|, which upon drawing up its contact block 84, accomplishes four results. By opening the contact 83 it takes off the positive source of current supply 82 from the circuit which had been energizing relay58, leaving thelatter to rely solely upon the source 14, as described above, so that subsequently, when the dash pot relay 54`is again energized and the positive source. 14 cut off, the relay 58 may become deenergized.

Contact ismade at I3', completing a circuit for energizing the dash pot relay 54 as follows: from positive current source 82 over line ||4, through the 'contacts |.|3, over line 53, through the winding of relay 54 to negative current supply at 55.

The completed movement of lplunger 56 of relay` 54 is not consummated immediately however, but awaits rth'epredeterrnined time interval in accordance with tits dash pot adjustment.

The opening of; the contact 31 again breaks the tape control circuit, which was traced through this contact'in'the description above, and which thereby arrests the record reader mechanism through the deenergization of the stop magnet coils 46, and finally through the closure of the contact 94 there is established a locking circuit for relay 9| as follows: beginning with positive current source 1|, over line 92, through the contact 89, which is still closed pending the deenergization of relay 58, thence over line 93, through the contacts 94, over lines 95 and 96, through the winding of relay 9 I, over line 91, thence over line 21 to negative current source 28.

As a result of the energization of the dash pot relay 54 and after the lapse of a predetermined time interval, the plunger 56 is forced downwardly, rotating bell crank 12 in a clockwise direction and again permitting the contactor 64 contact at 15 as in the case of the bold shift operation. The make contact 13 is ineffective :at

this time, however, because the circuit originating with positive potential at 14 and continuing over line 63 is open over branch 62 at contact 51 kand 4branch II5 at contact ||6. When the break contact 15 is opened, however, it vwithdraws the positive potential 14 from the energizing circuit of relay 58, of which the alternative source 82 had already been withdrawn by the energization of relay 9|. This allows relay 58 to release and be restored to normal position as illustrated in the figure.

As aresult of the release of relay 58, contact 68 is again closed, restoring the normal or prepared condition to the bold face locking circuit which continues over line 61 to the contact 65. By the opening of the contact 16, the energizing circuit for magnet 11 is broken, which had originated in positive source 1I and continued over line 69 through the contact 16, and line 18, through the winding of magnet 11 to the negative source 19. The deenergization of magnet 11 permits the springs 99 and |05 to retract their respective members to normal position, allowing rail |04 to resume its roman condition. v

By opening contact 8|, the locking circuit of relay 58 is broken, which, having originated from two sources 14 and 82 and continuing over lines 81 and 85 to the junction 86, travelled the path 88, through the contacts 8|, line 80, through the winding of relay 58, thence through lines 59 and 21 to the negative source 28.

Thev opening of contact 89 breaks the roman relay locking circuit for energizing the relay 9|, cutting off the positive source of supply 1|, which had travelled the path 92, through the contacts 89, line 93, through the contact 94, lines 95 and 96, Winding of relay 9|, line 91, thence through line 21 to the negative source 28. The opening of the locking circuit for relay 9| causes this relay to release its contact block 84, which in turn is effective in four results. Upon the closure of contact 31, the tape control circuit is again completed, permitting the energization of stop coils 46 and the resumption of operation of the record reader mechanism. At the closure of contacts v83, locking circuit for relay 58 is reconditioned fromthe positive source 82 over line ||4,v through the contact 83, over line 85, thence over line 881to the contact 8| (which is now opened), over line 80, through the winding of relay 58, over line 59, and line 21 to the negative source 28. Upon the opening of thev contact ||3, the dash pot relay 54 is deenergized by cutting off the positive current supply 82 whichhad travelled over line |l4, through the contacts I3, over line 53, through the winding of relay 54 to the negative current source 55. Upon the opening of the contact 94, the operating circuit of relay 9| is again disabled so that during the establishment ofthe roman condition of :ra-il |84, subsequently receivedroman shift signalsA are totally ineffective. Thus is restored the normal condition of relay 9|, permitting the shiftable rail |04 to resume its normal or roman position.

In accordance with the foregoing description, there-has been disclosed a bold face shift signal for moving-the rail `|l.'|4 into its bold position followed by the description of a roman face shift signal for restoring rail |04 to roman position. In the execution of each of these signals, the dash pot relay 54 was effective in introducing a time delay interval which wasequivalent to the time occupied by one matrix in` gravitating from itspointvof yrelease in the matrix storing magazine rto the point `:of `reception .in the assembling block.' 'Asfwas indicated zbefore, this illustration isfbutfoneexample of I-the'utility of a delay mechanism for momentarilysuspending the .response tio certain vcontrol signals. Another example of the :utility-of ,this invention will :be given in the following 4description which illustrates its application inlconnection :with the Aelevator operation control tcircuit.

Upon .the 'reception of van elevator operating signal, theselectorfunit |,2 effects -the closure of contacts i5, introducing positive potential from source :i6 overline 4| |1. As in the case of contacts ,:|3 .and |4, Vpositive potential may also 'be had from source |.8 by the closure of a manually operable Lkeylever, in .this case number 22, and communicated-:over alline I8. The lines ||1 and H8. are jinedat r"|rl 9 from whence vthey continue over 'line |,2 fthroughthe winding of elevator coil |L22,I thence overlin'es |2'3"and |24, and line 21 torthe ynegative-source `28. This energizes relay t22 1ponrthecl0suref which 'five results are had. Atthe'pp'ening of contact 34 thetape control circuit/is broken, Fit being recalled that contact 34 is one of the c'hainyof control contacts locatedV in thisfcircuit.` Upon theclosure ofcontacts |25 an indicator lamp |26 is .lighted over the vfollowing circuit, originating with positivefpotential 32 over line 33, through fthe contacts |25, over line |21,

thence zover -line |28, through the filament of lamp |28 to negative source' |29. The lighting of lamp t26 indicatesthe time interval occupied 'by thel elevator in its transit, and upon its failure tobecomeextinguished, servesas a notice'vof an uncompleted elevator performance. Upon the closurefofcontact '|3|, the dash ypot relay 54 is energized over the following circuit: from jposi' tivezsource 32, over line 33, through the contact |3|, overl line.53, thence through the winding of relay`54 to'the-negativepotential 55. The plunger I56 of :solenoid relay A54 does not respond instantly asis' its inherent-characteristic, but occupies acertain time `interval in consummating its travel.

Meanwhile, theclosure of contacts |32 estab-l lishes 4aloclring circuit for relay |22 as follows: from positive potential 32, over line 33, through the contacts |32, over line |33, thence over line |534, through the v'contacts |35, over vline |36, throug'hthe contacts |31, over'line |38, thence over line i139, lines v||8 -and 112|, through the winding of coil |22, thence over line 1.23,*through the linesection |24, and over line'21 to the negative source 28. 'This locking ycircuit maintains the relay |22 energized even'after the selector unit hasfbeen restored to normal` and the contact |5 opens. MAs a result Vof the closure of contacts II'B, a circuit is prepared .which awaits the consummate operation of dash pot relay 54 and is traceablefrom positive-.potential 14 through the make-contact 13, contactorc64, over lines 63 and ||5, through the contact |l|6,loverilines |4| and |42, through the winding of an operating coil |43, to source of negative supply |44. The energization of relay v|43 closes a switch |45 and completes the circuit for energizing the elevator solenoid |48 as follows: from positive source |41, over line |48, through the switch |45, thence over line |49, through the Winding of solenoid |46 to the negative source .|5|. The movement of the solenoid plunger |52 is dependent upon and directly proportional to the movement of the elevator |08 in a kmanner which may be understood by referring to the aforementioned PatentNo. 1,970,567, andas it is withdrawn from the position illustrated, a contact pin |53 carried thereby is withdrawn from the insulated portion |54 of switch contacts 42, permitting the latter to open the record reader circuit at that point, it being recalled that contacts 42 are also in the record reader control circuit. The record reader circuit is already broken at this time, however, by the opening of contacts 34, but the opening thereof at contacts 42 prevents the restarting of the record reader until the full return of the elevator |08. When the elevator |08 reaches its ultimate level at which the matrices assembled in the block may be withdrawn by the delivery slide, the plunger |52 will have been withdrawn so that its pin |53 engages the insulated block |55, which is associated with switch |35, causing the latter to be opened and breaking the locking circuit for maintaining energized the elevator relay |22. Upon the deenergization of relay |22, the contact block |55 is restored to normal condition, reestablishing the following results:

The closure of contact 34 reestablishes the circuit for energizing the stop magnet coils 46 and permitting the record reader to resume operation subject, of course, to the closure of the contacts 42 conditioned upon the complete return of the elevator as described above. The opening of contact |25 breaks the circuit for lighting the signal lamp |26, thereby extinguishing the signal and indicating the delivery of a load of matrices by the elevator mechanism to the line delivery slide level. The opening of contact |3| deenergizes the dash pot relay 54 by opening its circuit, which originates at positive source 32 and passes through the contacts |3| over line 53, through the winding of coil 54 to the negative source 55. The opening of contacts |32 breaks the locking circuit for relay |22 over the circuit described above, and the opening of contacts ||6 deenergizes the relay |43, opening the switch |45 and the circuit for energizing the elevator operating solenoid Thus has been described an arrangement of control relays for obtaining a time delay in the performance of certain functions of a control unit for operating a linecasting machine. It will be evident that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. For this reason it is not intended to be limited to the specific details illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

nor to the language contained in the foregoing description, but to be permitted, instead, a latitude of interpretation as indicated by the hereinafter appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a composing machine, for selectively assembling a plurality of character elements, means to select each character element in response to a stored signal, auxiliary means to modify a selected character element in its response to its signal, and means to delay said response in order to correctly time the character selecting operation with the operation of the character modifying means.

2. In a linecasting and composing machine, an assembler elevator including means for determining the level at which matrices are to be assembled having a normal condition out of matrix receiving position and assuming said condition upon the ascent of the elevator, and means autoupon the' descent of the elevator to move said first mentioned means to its previous position.

3. In a linecasting and composing machine, a matrix assembling block, an elevator for moving said block between composing and casting levels, a signal responsive control unit, a supporting rail within said block shiftable into positions for accordingly supporting or rejecting subsequently received matrices, said rail being under control of said unit and including a severable linkage of coactive members including a cam surface effective, upon the return of said elevator mechanism, tc reinstate pre-existing conditions.

4. In a linecasting and composing machine including a plurality of matrices to be selectively gravitated during line composition, a block for receiving said matrices in composite assembly, a preconditioning apparatus in said block for modifying the manner in which said matrices are received, an automatic control unit responsive to certain signals for selectively releasing said matrices and .to other signals for preconditioning said apparatus, and a delay factor for suspending the response of said preconditioning device to its` control signals until previously released matrices Vshall have been fully received.

5. In a line composing machine including a plurality of matrices eachbearing two characters, an assembling block for receiving said matrices, a. preconditioning element for affecting the position in which said matrices are received in said block in accordance with its characters, a control unit responsive to stored signals including selectable means responsive to certain signals for releasing said matrices, selectable means responsive to certain other signals for actuating said preconditioning element, and a delay apparatus for prolonging` the responsive interval of said preconditioning element.

6. In a linecasting and composing machine, an automatic control unit responsive to store signals,

the vlapse Yof a predetermined time interval.

7. In a composing machine, faplurality of character elements to be assembled, means to select each element in response to a signal peculiar tov it, means to modify the response of each character to its signal, and means to delay the effectiveness of said modifying means in timed relaf tion with its selection.

8. A linecasting and composing machine hav-ay ing a composing level and a casting level, an assembling block movable between said levels, a

control unit including a record reader mechanism responsive to certain perforations vin a control form for composing, means responsive to certain other perforations forv preconditioning said block, and means operative during the performance of said last mentioned means for suspending the operation of said record reader.`

9. In a linecasting and composing machine, an elevator including a matrix receiving portion, a preconditioning device for determining one of two alternative positions in which incoming matrices may be received in said portion, a record reader mechanism responsive to kperforations inqp porting railv associated withr said a control form for selectively releasing. matrices to be received in said portion, and means operative during the performance of said preconditioning device for preventing the further operation of said record reader.

10. In a linecasting and composing machine, an elevator movable between composing and casting levels, a matrix receiving block carried by said elevator, a longitudinally movable preconditioning device for determining one of two alternative positions in which selected matrices may be received, and electromagnetic means for moving said preconditioning means.

11. The combination set forth in claim l0 in which said electromagnetic means is operative for moving said preconditioning means into one of its positions, and a spring element for moving said means into its other of said positions.

12; A linecasting and composing machine having a plurality of matrices each bearing two characters, means to release said matrices singly, a carriage for receiving said released matrices, a member associated with said carriage for determining` the position in which the matrices are assembled in' accordance With the character to be cast, means to shift said member, and automatic means to delay the shifting means until all previously released matrices are properlypositioned in the carriage.

13. A type composing machine employing a plurality of matrices each carrying two characters, a holder for receiving said matrices, means inv said holder forA supporting said matrices in one character position, adjustable meansfor supporting said matrices in the other character position, a control means responsive to perforations ina tape, and delaying means operated by said control means for selectively moving said adjustable means into and out of matrix supporting position to allow successive matrices to be assembled in corresponding positions.

14. In a linecasting and composing machine, an assembling blockA for receiving released matrices, a supporting rail associated with said block and shiftable into two positions for accordingly receiving or rejecting subsequently released matrices, amagnet constituting a motor meansfor shifting said rail and a relay for maintaining en- .ergizing'current supplyA to said magnet including operating circuit means responsive to control impulses for, energizing said relay and locking circuit mea-ns for prolonging the operated condition of. said relay beyond the time interval of said control impulses. t

15f. I-n a linecasting and composing machine, a-matrix assembling'apparatus, a shiftable supapparatus, means for shifting said rail under the control of stored signals, and electromagnetic means for storing the effect. of said signals for a prolonged time interval..-

16. In a linecasting and composing machine, a matrix assembling apparatus, an element associated withr saidapparatus for modifying its receptive attributes, a motor responsive to certain stored signals` for actuating said element, and storage means under control of saidcertain of said stored signals for prolonging their effect upon said motor.

117. In a'linecasting and composingv machine, anY apparatus for receiving released matrices in composition alignment, means associated with said apparatus for modifying its receptive attributes, a control mechanism responsive to stored signals, and means conditioned by said control mechanism in its response to certain of said stored signals for setting up a protracted response upon said modifying means.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17 in which said conditionedmeans comprises an arrangement of electromagnetic relays and means associated with said relays for damping the response thereof,

19. In a linecasting and composing machine, a

matrix assembling apparatus, means associatedf with said apparatus for modifying its receptive attributes, a relay for controlling the placement of said means in one condition, a relay for controlling the placement of said means in another condition, a record reader responsive to certainv signals for causing the energization of the rst mentioned of said relays and to certain other signals for causing the energization of the last mentioned of said relays, and intercontrol circuit connections between said relays for conditioning each to become responsive to said record reader following the energization of the other.

20. In combination, a matrix assembling block, a displaceable rail for varying the receptive attributes of said block, electromagnetic means for moving said rail, storage means for prolonging the existence of control signals for energizing said electromagnetic means, a selector mechanism responsive to electrical codes for setting up conditions in said storage means, and manual means for setting up conditions in said storage means.

21. In a linecasting and composing machine, a conveying mechanism, a shiftable rail in said conveying mechanism for determining the receiving level of assembled matrices, power means for actuating said conveying mechanism and said rail in accordance with predetermined-manners of operation, and a keyboard including manually operative key-levers for initiating the association of said power means with said conveying mechanism and with said shiftable rail.

22. In a linecasting and composing machine, a keyboard control unit including keylevers for initiating slug composing functions, keylevers for initiating type font shift functions, a common source of power, and means initiated into operation by the actuation of said keylevers for establishing the operative connection between said source of power and correlated composing and font shifting apparatus.

23. In a linecasting and composing machine, an assembler block for receiving slug casting matrices during composing operations, a rail shiftable into alternate positions for accordingly supporting or rejecting released matrices, a power operated means for moving said rail into each of its positions, and a manually actuated lever for causing said power means to move said rail.

24. The combination set forth in claim 23 wherein said power means may also be operated automatically in response to predetermined conditions.

25. In a linecasting and composing machine, a composing mechanism including a plurality of sets of matrices to be assembled for slug casting, a plurality of matrix release elements, an assembler for receiving released matrices in composition assembly including a modifying factor for determining the position of each matrix as it is received in said assembler, a signal responsive mechanism for controlling the actuation of said matrix release elements automatically including means under the control of certain signals for moving said modifying factor, and means operative during the movement of said modifying factor to suspend the further release of matrices.

26. In a linecasting and composing machine, a composing mechanism including means for selectively releasing a plurality of matr1ces, a shiftable element for modifying the manner in which said matrices are assembled after their release, an automatic control unit for initiating the performance of saidshiftable element and of said composing mechanism, and means for suspending the operation of said matrix releasing means during the interval of movement of said shiftable element.

27. In a linecasting and composing machine, an assembling block for receiving selectively released matrices, a rail shiftable between two positions for accordingly modifying the reception of subsequently released matrices, an automatic control unit responsive to stored signals for moving said shiftable means from one position to the other, and means for arresting the release of matrices during the time interval in which said shiftable means is moved from either of its positions to the other.

28. In a linecasting and composing machine provided with a plurality of matrices to be selectively assembled under the control of a perforated tape sensing mechanism, the method of momentarily arresting the release of matrices during the performance of a matrix composition modifying function comprising the steps of timing the performance of said function in accordance with the sequence of the released matrices, and disabling said tape sensing mechanism during the interim in which said function is executed.

29. In a linecasting and composing machine, an assembler rail shiftable into alternative positions for accordingly determining the reception of succeeding matrices, a composing mechanism for selectively releasing matrices to be assembled on said rail, a control unit responsive to stored signals for operating said composing mechanism and for shifting said rail, and means operative during the performance of said unit in shifting said rail for momentarily disabling the performance of said unit in operating said composing mechanism.

30. In a linecasting and composing machine, an assembling block movable for transporting lines of matrices to a delivery slide level, a shiftable supporting rail in said block fo-r determining the level in said block at which released matrices are 

